Hillsborough: Liverpool to hold 'sign of unity' scarf tribute

Scarves were tied to Anfield's Shankly Gates on the 20th anniversary of the disaster

Scarves from every club in the top four divisions will create a number 96 at Anfield as a "sign of unity" on the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, the club has said.

The tribute to the 96 Liverpool fans who died after a crush during the side's FA Cup match on 15 April 1989 will form part of Tuesday's memorial service.

A mosaic tribute will also be held up by fans at the club's match on Sunday.

There will also be a minute's silence.

Former players

During the weekend of commemorations, matches will kick off seven minutes late to mark the six minutes played in 1989 before the match was abandoned.

The service at Anfield will see club officials, players and staff join with the relatives of those who died for an annual commemoration. Former players and managers and members of the wider Liverpool community will also be present.

The service will feature readings from both Liverpool manager Brendan Rogers and Everton boss Roberto Martinez.

Speaking on Thursday, Martinez said the delaying the kick-offs was a "very important gesture".

"[It is a gesture] from the whole league, and everyone in world football, to pay their respects towards what happened 25 years ago."

The scarves, which will also include items from clubs around the world and those of the England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales national teams, were donated following an appeal by the club.

Wreathes and roses

The game against Manchester City on Sunday will be preceded by the minute's silence and the placing of a "Patch for the 96" over the centre circle, a large version of a commemorative charity patch the club has sold in aid of the families of the victims.

The wreathes will be laid at Anfield's Hillsborough Memorial

The mosaic tribute, made of cards held up by fans, will spell out "96 25 years".

Wreathes and 96 blue and red roses will also be presented by Manchester City officials to former Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish and former player Ian Rush before kick-off.

Representatives of Scottish side Celtic will also present a wreath. All of the floral tributes will be laid at the ground's Hillsborough memorial after the match.

A charity event, including a football match between "local Reds legends and international legends", will also be held by the club on 21 April "to celebrate the lives of the 96", a club spokesman said.

The commemorations come as fresh inquests into the deaths of the fans are held in Warrington.

The inquests were ordered after original accidental death inquest verdicts were quashed in 2012 following an independent report.